Alignment rod for muzzle attachments

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of alignment rods for muzzle attachments, and methods for making and using the same are presented. An embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments may include an elongated body having a non-metallic surface and having a first portion with a first outer diameter and a second portion with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being different from the second outer diameter, and a first transition portion comprising a shoulder between the first portion and the second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/408,303, entitled “Alignment Rod for Muzzle Attachments,” filed on Oct. 14, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to firearm accessories, and more specifically, to alignment rods for muzzle attachments.

BACKGROUND

Several types of muzzle attachments exist for attachment to firearms. Examples of muzzle attachments include sound suppressors, gas suppressors or directors, flash suppressors, bayonet attachments, etc. Typically, muzzle attachments are connected to the muzzle of a firearm by screw threads, or other locking mechanisms. It is important to properly align the muzzle attachment with a barrel of the firearm, to avoid interference with a trajectory of a projectile exiting the muzzle.

Alignment rods are used to visually verify alignment of a muzzle attachment with the barrel of a firearm. Prior alignment rods included metal rods, typically made from steel, which are inserted though the muzzle attachment and into the barrel of the firearm. The barrel of any firearm may have delicate linings or rifling lands that may be damaged in the process of inserting a metal muzzle attachment alignment rod. A metal alignment rod, when inserted into the barrel of firearm, may dent, ding, scratch, or cause any damage of the like to the barrel. These dings, dents, scratches, or other damage to the barrel may affect the trajectory, and ultimately the accuracy, of a projectile when fired from a firearm.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of alignment rods for muzzle attachments, and methods for making and using the same are presented. An embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments may include an elongated body having a non-metallic surface and having a first portion with a first outer diameter and a second portion with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being different from the second outer diameter, and a first transition portion comprising a shoulder between the first portion and the second portion.

An embodiment of a method for aligning a muzzle attachment with a barrel of a firearm may include positioning the muzzle attachment adjacent a muzzle of the firearm. The method may also include inserting a first portion of an alignment rod through an opening in the muzzle attachment and into a barrel of the firearm through the muzzle. Additionally, the method may include seating a shoulder portion of the alignment rod on a crown of the barrel, wherein the first portion of the alignment rod extends into the barrel and a second portion of the alignment rod extends away from the barrel through the muzzle attachment, wherein the first portion has a first outer diameter configured to precision clearance fit a bore diameter of a barrel of the firearm, and the second portion has a second outer diameter configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment, and wherein the alignment rod comprises a non-metallic surface.

A method for manufacturing an alignment rod for muzzle attachments may include providing a mandrel having an outer diameter sized to match an interior diameter of an elongated body to be formed thereon. Additionally, the method may include disposing a non-metallic material on the mandrel at a thickness sufficient to provide a first outer diameter in a first portion of the elongated body and a second outer diameter in a second portion of the elongated body configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment. The method may further include reducing material from a first portion of the elongated body such that a first outer diameter of the first portion provides a precision clearance fit to a bore diameter of a barrel of a firearm. Additionally, the method may include forming a transition portion at a predetermined length from a first end of the elongated body, the transition portion defining a shoulder between the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system having an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 4 is a detail view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 5 is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for manufacturing an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 6A is a cross-section view diagram illustrating another embodiment of a system for manufacturing an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 6B is a cross-section view taken along a lateral axis of one embodiment of the alignment rod formed according to the process described in relation to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for using an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating another embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 11 is a detail view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

FIG. 12 is a detail view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an alignment rod for muzzle attachments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

The present embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatuses for a muzzle attachment alignment rod. The muzzle attachment alignment rod is used to precisely verify alignment of a muzzle attachment with a barrel of a firearm to prevent a projectile from damaging inside components of the muzzle attachment, and to prevent alteration of a trajectory of the projectile. One embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment rod includes a hollow, non-metal, rod that will not damage the barrel of a firearm when inserted therein. In another embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment, the muzzle attachment alignment rod may be manufactured from carbon fiber materials.

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system 100 having a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 for visually verifying alignment of a muzzle attachment 104 with a barrel 106 of a firearm. In an embodiment, the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may be inserted into an opening 108 of the muzzle attachment 104, and extended through the muzzle attachment 104 into a muzzle 110 of the firearm. Additionally, the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may be further inserted into the barrel 106. The muzzle attachment 104 may be attached to the barrel 106 by an attachment mechanism 112. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism 112 may be screw threads configured to engage with mating screw threads (not shown) in the muzzle attachment 104.

In an embodiment, the barrel 106 may be a few inches in length up to a few feet in length, depending upon the type of firearm. For example, rifle barrels may be 16-30 inches in length in typical configurations. Short barrel rifles may have barrels shorter than 16 inches, and pistols may have barrels that are 2-8 inches long. A barrel 106 is typically precision bored to have a specific inner diameter for handling a projectile of a specific caliber. The barrel 106 may include steel, or other metals, and may be coated by materials, such as chrome or other alloys to prevent rusting and corrosion and extend barrel life. Additionally, a barrel 106 may include rifling lands and grooves for spinning the projectile. The opening of the barrel 106 from which the projectile exits is typically referred to as a muzzle 110.

In various embodiments, muzzle attachments 104 may be attached to a firearm for various performance enhancements. For example, a flash suppressor may limit or suppress the flame or flash exiting the muzzle 110 when the projectile is fired. A gas suppressor or director may redirect gasses expelled from the barrel 106 to reduce recoil or kickback of the firearm. Such embodiments are commonly referred to as “muzzle brakes.” A sound suppressor is a type of muzzle attachment 104 that may attenuate or limit the report of the firearm during firing. One of ordinary skill will recognize additional muzzle attachments 104, including for example, bayonet attachments, etc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102, which may include a first portion 202 that fits snugly inside the barrel 106 of a firearm to precisely align a second portion 204 in a muzzle attachment 104. In an embodiment, the first portion 202 is sized to have a precision clearance fit with the bore diameter of the barrel 106. In an embodiment, a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may include a second portion 204 that provides a visual indication of a projectile's path through the muzzle attachment 104. In an embodiment, a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may include a transition portion 206 that is configured to rest upon the crown of the barrel 106. In an embodiment, the transition portion 206 provides a stop as the first portion 202 is inserted into the barrel 106 of a firearm. In an embodiment, the transition portion 206 allows for the second portion 204 to protrude from the muzzle attachment 104. In one embodiment, the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may include differing first portions 202 on either ends that may share a common second portion 204.

Each embodiment of the alignment rod 102 may be sized for a specific bore diameter, or a small range of bore diameters. For example, a bore diameter of 0.300″ is used by several different calibers, including 308 Winchester. However, some 308 Winchester barrels are also manufactured using a 0.299″ bore diameter. Therefore, one embodiment of the alignment rod 102 may cover a range of bore diameters from 0.299-0.300″. Thus, various embodiments of alignment rods 102 will be manufactured to fit a certain range of bore diameters; which will mean that one alignment rod 102 may fit a plurality of different calibers.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102, which includes an elongated body 302, such as a shaft, that extends from a first end 306 to a second end 308. The elongated body may include a non-metallic outer surface, such that the outer surface of the elongated body 302 does not scratch components of the barrel or muzzle attachment. In one embodiment, the elongated body 302 may comprise a hollow tube, formed of composite materials, such as carbon fiber. In another embodiment, the elongated body 302 comprises a solid structure formed of composite materials such as graphite or carbon fiber. In still other embodiments, the elongated body 302 comprises a metal core formed of steel or aluminum with a non-metallic coating on an outer surface thereof. For example, the outer coating may be nylon or another polymer material. In a further embodiment, the elongated body 302 may be formed of a hollow tube of extruded aluminum with a nylon coating formed on an outer surface thereof.

In an embodiment, the elongated body 302 includes a first portion 304 disposed toward the first end 306 and a second portion disposed toward the second end 308, relative to the first portion 304. A first leading portion 304 may be disposed at the first end 306. The first leading portion 306 may include a tapered, radiused, or chamfered region to facilitate insertion of the first portion 202 into the barrel 106. In an embodiment, the elongated body 302 may include a transition portion 206 as detailed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a detail view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment rod that includes an elongated body 302 having a transition portion 206, where the first portion 202 has a first outer diameter 402, and the second portion 204 has a second outer diameter 404. In such an embodiment, the first outer diameter 402 is different from the second outer diameter 404. For example, the first outer diameter 402 may be smaller than the second outer diameter 404 in some embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the transition portion 206 may include a shoulder between the first portion 202 and the second portion 204.

By way of example, the first outer diameter 402 may be suitable to fit within a lands portion of the rifling of a barrel and the second outer diameter 404 may be suitable to fit within a bore of a muzzle attachment. In a particular embodiment, the second outer diameter 404 may match the internal diameter of a grooves portion of a barrel. In one embodiment, the alignment rod 300 may be configured to facilitate alignment of a muzzle attachment, such as a silencer device, to a barrel of a .22 caliber firearm. In such an embodiment, the first outer diameter 402 may be 0.217 inches, which is suitable for fitting snugly within the bore diameter of the barrel. The second outer diameter 404 may be 0.222 inches, which matches the groove diameter of the barrel 106.

FIG. 5 is a side view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system 500 for manufacturing a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 that includes a mandrel 502 that has a predetermined diameter, which allows the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 to snugly fit into the specified caliber. In an embodiment, the mandrel 502 is wrapped in a predetermined pattern, forming a carbon fiber mesh 506. In an embodiment, after the mandrel 502 is wrapped with carbon fiber strands 504 that form a carbon fiber mesh 506, the mandrel 502 may be coated with resins or other hardening material and heated in an oven to harden the carbon fiber mesh 506. In an embodiment, the carbon fiber mesh 506 may be slipped off the mandrel 502, forming a non-metal, hollow, muzzle attachment alignment rod 102. In an embodiment, the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 may be moved to a precision grinder to form the first portion 202, the transition portion 206, second portion 204, and the first leading portion 304.

FIG. 6A is a cross-section view diagram illustrating another embodiment of a system 600 for manufacturing a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102. In an embodiment, the system includes a mandrel 502 that has a predetermined diameter, which allows the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 to snugly fit into the specified caliber. In an embodiment, the mandrel 502 may be wrapped in an elastic carbon fiber sheet 602. Additionally, a first non-elastic carbon fiber sheet 604 and a second non-elastic carbon fiber sheet 606 may be layered upon the carbon fiber elastic sheet 602. In such an embodiment, a tubular carbon fiber laminate structure may be formed.

FIG. 6B is a cross-section view taken along a lateral axis of one embodiment of the alignment rod 204 formed according to the process described in relation to FIG. 6A. The mandrel 502 may be moved to a drying station to harden the carbon fiber elastic sheet 602 around the mandrel 502. In an embodiment, the mandrel 502 may be removed, leaving the hardened carbon fiber elastic sheet 602, as well as the additional layers of the first non-elastic carbon fiber sheet 604 and the second non-elastic carbon fiber sheet 606 in a tubular form factor. One of ordinary skill will recognize that a greater or fewer number of carbon fiber sheets may be applied for added strength, thickness, etc. Additionally, one or more adhesive layers may be applied to maintain contact between the plurality of carbon fiber sheets. One of ordinary skill may recognize additional or alternative processes, in addition to, or in substitution of, the processes described in FIGS. 5 and 6A-6B, which may be used to form the muzzle attachment alignment rod 102.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 700 for using a muzzle attachment alignment rod. In an embodiment, the method 700 includes positioning the muzzle attachment adjacent a muzzle of the firearm, as shown at block 702. At block 704, the method 700 may include inserting a first portion of an alignment rod through an opening in the muzzle attachment and into a barrel of the firearm through the muzzle. At block 706, the method 700 may include seating a transition portion of the alignment rod on the crown of the barrel, wherein the first portion of the alignment rod extends into the barrel and a second portion of the alignment rod extends away from the barrel through the muzzle attachment. In such embodiments, the first portion has a first outer diameter configured for precision clearance fit a bore diameter of a barrel of the firearm, and the second portion has a second outer diameter configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment, as shown at block 708 and the alignment rod includes an elongated body 302, as shown at block 710. In one embodiment, there may be concentric clearance between the muzzle bore and the second portion.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 800 for manufacturing an alignment rod 102 for muzzle attachments 104. In an embodiment, the method 800 includes providing a mandrel having an outer diameter sized to match an interior diameter of an elongated body to be formed thereon, as shown at block 802. At block 804, the method 800 may include disposing a non-metallic material on the mandrel at a thickness sufficient to provide a first outer diameter in a first portion of the elongated body and a second outer diameter in a second portion of the elongated body configured to simulate the outer diameter of a projectile fired from the barrel through the bore of the muzzle attachment, as shown at block 804. At block 806, the method 800 may include reducing material from a first portion of the elongated body such that a first outer diameter of the first portion provides a precision clearance fit to a bore diameter of a barrel of a firearm, as shown at block 806. At block 808, the method 800 may include forming a transition portion at a predetermined length from a first end of the elongated body, the transition portion defining a shoulder between the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a muzzle attachment alignment rod 102 that includes an elongated body 302. A first attachment 902, such as a handle 902, may be attached to the second portion 204. In an embodiment, the first portion 202 may have a first attachment, such as a laser device 904, disposed inside the elongated body 302 at the first end 306. Alternatively, the laser device 904 may be coupled to the second portion 204. In such an embodiment, the laser device 904 may be configured to sit outside the bore 108 of the muzzle attachment 104. In such an embodiment, the laser device 904 may emit a laser beam 906 through the elongated body 302. In such an embodiment, the laser beam 906 may facilitate sight adjustment of the firearm, etc.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view diagram illustrating another embodiment of an alignment rod 1000 for muzzle attachments. The embodiment of FIG. 10 is a multi-sized alignment rod, suitable for use with a variety of firearms of similar caliber. For example, the bore diameter of .22 caliber firearms may vary, depending upon the type of .22 caliber cartridge the firearm is designed for and depending upon the age and amount of use of the firearm. For example, older firearms may have a slightly larger bore diameter after excessive use, or because of manufacturing variances. Thus, the bore diameter may have a variance range of between 0.216 and 0.218. Indeed, this range may be even larger for firearms that have been used excessively. One of ordinary skill will recognize ranges of variance for various firearm calibers.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the alignment rod 1000 may include a first end 1006 and a second end 1008. The alignment rod 1000 may further include a first portion 202 and a second portion 204, similar to the arrangement in FIG. 3. In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 10 may include a third portion 1010 disposed toward the second end 1008 relative to the second portion 204. A second leading portion 1012 may be disposed at the second end 1008, and may include a tapered, radiused, or chamfered outer diameter disposed on the second end 1008. Thus, in such an embodiment, either the first end 1006 or the second end 1008 may be inserted into the barrel 106 of the firearm.

In such an embodiment, a second transition 1104 comprising a shoulder may be formed between the second portion 204 and the third portion 1010, as shown in FIG. 11. The third portion 1010 may have a third outer diameter 1102, which is different from the second outer diameter 204 and also different from the first outer diameter 402 shown in FIG. 12. For example, the first outer diameter 402 may be in the range of 0.218-0.217 inches. The second outer diameter 404 may be in the range of 0.22-0.223 inches, and the third outer diameter may be in the range of 0.216-0.217 inches, in the example of an alignment rod designed for aligning muzzle attachments on .22 caliber firearms. One of skill in the art will recognize that a variety of alternative size ranges may be used, depending upon precision requirements and depending upon caliber selection.

Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations. 

1. An alignment rod for muzzle attachments, comprising: an elongated body having a non-metallic surface and having a first portion with a first outer diameter and a second portion with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being different from the second outer diameter, and a first transition portion comprising a shoulder between the first portion and the second portion.
 2. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a hollow non-metallic tube having a first end and a second end.
 3. The alignment rod of claim 2, comprising a first leading portion with a tapered, radiused, or chamfered outer diameter disposed on the first end.
 4. The alignment rod of claim 2, wherein the first end configured to be inserted into a muzzle of a firearm.
 5. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the first transition portion is configured to rest against a crown of a barrel of a firearm.
 6. The alignment rod of claim 2, further comprising a handle disposed on the second end.
 7. The alignment rod of claim 2, wherein the second end is configured to extend outwardly from a muzzle of a firearm when the first end is inserted therein.
 8. The alignment rod of claim 1, further comprising a laser emitting device coupled to the elongated body.
 9. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the first outer diameter is configured to precision clearance fit within a bore diameter of a barrel of the firearm.
 10. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the second outer diameter is configured to fit a bore of the muzzle attachment.
 11. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a carbon fiber mesh, a carbon fiber matrix, a carbon fiber cloth, or a carbon fiber sheet.
 12. The alignment rod of claim 2, wherein the elongated body further comprises a third portion with a third outer diameter, the third portion being disposed at the second end.
 13. The alignment rod of claim 2, comprising a second leading portion with a tapered, radiused, or chamfered outer diameter disposed on the second end.
 14. The alignment rod of claim 2, wherein the second end configured to be inserted into a muzzle of a firearm.
 15. The alignment rod of claim 1, further comprising a second transition portion comprising a shoulder between the third portion and the second portion, wherein the second transition portion is configured to rest against a crown of a barrel of a firearm.
 16. The alignment rod of claim 2, wherein the first end is configured to extend outwardly from a muzzle of a firearm when the second end is inserted therein.
 17. The alignment rod of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic surface comprises a coating of non-metallic material disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body.
 18. A method for aligning a muzzle attachment with a barrel of a firearm, comprising: positioning the muzzle attachment adjacent a muzzle of the firearm; inserting a first portion of an alignment rod through an opening in the muzzle attachment and into a barrel of the firearm through the muzzle; seating a shoulder portion of the alignment rod on a crown of the barrel, wherein the first portion of the alignment rod extends into the barrel and a second portion of the alignment rod extends away from the barrel through the muzzle attachment; wherein the first portion has a first outer diameter configured to precision clearance fit a bore diameter of a barrel of the firearm, and the second portion has a second outer diameter configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment; and wherein the alignment rod comprises a non-metallic surface.
 19. A method for manufacturing an alignment rod for muzzle attachments, comprising: providing a mandrel having an outer diameter sized to match an interior diameter of an elongated body to be formed thereon; disposing a non-metallic material on the mandrel at a thickness sufficient to provide a first outer diameter in a first portion of the elongated body and a second outer diameter in a second portion of the elongated body configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment; reducing material from a first portion of the elongated body such that a first outer diameter of the first portion provides a precision clearance fit to a bore diameter of a barrel of a firearm; forming a transition portion at a predetermined length from a first end of the elongated body, the transition portion defining a shoulder between the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: disposing a non-metallic material on the mandrel at a thickness sufficient to provide a third outer diameter in a third portion of the elongated body and a second outer diameter in a second portion of the elongated body configured to fit within a bore of the muzzle attachment; reducing material from a third portion of the elongated body such that a third outer diameter of the third portion provides a precision clearance fit to a bore diameter of a barrel of a firearm; forming a transition portion at a predetermined length from a first end of the elongated body, the transition portion defining a shoulder between the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter. 